In 2013, an agreement to export Iranian natural gas to Iraq was signed between the two countries. While security concerns pushed back these plans, an Iranian official now says the export of Iranian gas to Iraq will take place soon.

Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trade Amir Hossein Zamaninia said Aug. 18 that the export of gas to regional countries will have a positive impact on political relations in the region. “Iraq is one of the natural gas customers of Iran, and with the establishment of security in their country, Iranian gas will soon be exported there,” Zamaninia said.

Iran is one of the top gas-producing countries in the world; however, high domestic use, outdated technology and lack of pipelines have held back exports, Zamaninia said. The export of gas to Iraq, while having economic benefits, will also help consolidate better relations with one of Iran’s strongest allies in the region.

Two of Iraq’s main political actors, Nouri al-Maliki and Ammar al-Hakim, are currently in Iran. Maliki is facing a political and legal battle in Iraq; in a news conference from Tehran on Aug. 17, Maliki rejected a report by an Iraqi parliamentary committee finding him and other Iraqi politicians culpable for the failure to stop Islamic State (IS) forces from taking over Mosul in June 2014. Maliki instead blamed the fall of Iraq’s second-largest city on Turkey and orders by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to withdraw its forces. Maliki also said that the local military and police in Mosul retreated and left Shiite forces alone to fight IS forces.